Abstract

Based on the theory of Cumulative (Dis)Advantage over the life course, this study makes three contributions. Using the concentration index, it documents the extent to which life satisfaction (LS) is unequally distributed with respect to health status (HS) in the 50+ population of SHARE. It shows that HS, widowhood and adaptation processes are important factors that correlate significantly with these inequalities in all countries studied. Finally, this study reveals that the 50+ population across Europe experiences cumulative disadvantage, both in terms of HS and LS.

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